Maria Shriver Quotes

Powerful Maria Shriver for Daily Growth

About Maria Shriver

Maria Owings Shriver, born on November 6, 1955, is an American journalist, author, and political activist known for her philanthropic work and as the First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011, married to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Shriver was raised in a prominent family with strong political connections - her father, Sargent Shriver, served as the U.S. Ambassador to France and as the Director of the Peace Corps, while her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, was a U.S. Senator and Attorney General. Shriver studied at Georgetown University and Catholic University of America, earning degrees in American studies and law respectively. Her early career in journalism spanned over two decades, including roles as a correspondent for NBC's 'Today', where she was the first woman to co-anchor the program. In 1986, Shriver published her first book, 'What’s Heaven: Your Soul's Treasure Map Here and After', which delved into spirituality and personal growth. Over the years, she has authored numerous other books, such as 'Just Who Will You Be?' (2007) and 'I've Been Working on You: A Wife's Guide to Happiness' (1988). Shriver's public life took a significant turn in 2003 when she became California's First Lady following her husband Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as Governor. During her time in the position, she focused on various social issues including education, healthcare, and women's empowerment. Post-governorship, Shriver continued her activism through The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease, which has personal significance as both of her parents suffered from the condition. She is also known for her work with various other charitable organizations, including the Special Olympics and the American Red Cross. Throughout her life, Shriver has demonstrated a commitment to public service, advocacy, and empowering others, making significant contributions in journalism, literature, and philanthropy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a series of choices, don't forget that every moment another door opens and you can choose to walk through it."

This quote by Maria Shriver emphasizes the idea that life is composed of a succession of choices, each with the potential to lead us in a different direction. It serves as a reminder that at any given moment, we possess the power to make decisions shaping our experiences and future paths. The quote also implies a sense of optimism, suggesting that opportunities are continuously arising, inviting us to seize them and progress forward.


"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

This quote emphasizes that inner resilience, often symbolized as 'strength', is rooted in an unyielding spirit rather than just physical prowess. It suggests that the ability to endure adversity, persevere through challenges, and maintain determination despite obstacles, stems from a fierce, indomitable will. In essence, it's saying that true strength comes from our mental fortitude and unwavering conviction, not just our physical abilities.


"Time doesn't heal all wounds. Time reveals all wounds."

This quote suggests that while the passage of time may not actively heal or resolve all emotional pain, it does have a way of exposing or revealing the depth and persistence of old wounds. Over time, as we encounter new experiences and challenges, hidden scars may surface and require our attention and healing, reminding us that they were there all along. The true healing comes from acknowledging these wounds, understanding their origins, and taking steps to address them.


"The most important lessons are often learned at the worst times - and in the worst of circumstances."

This quote by Maria Shriver suggests that difficult or challenging experiences, despite being painful, can offer valuable life lessons that help us grow and mature. In other words, hardships can serve as powerful teachers, helping us understand ourselves, others, and the world better, thereby shaping our character and wisdom. It also implies that these lessons may not be easily learned in more peaceful times or ideal circumstances, but instead are often forged through adversity.


"There is no easier path to understanding another person's pain than to open our own hearts."

This quote suggests that empathy, or truly understanding another person's pain, can only be achieved when we are willing to share our own vulnerabilities and open our hearts. By being open and honest about our feelings, we create a connection that allows us to perceive and respond to others with genuine compassion. It implies that the journey towards empathy is not always easy, but it becomes less difficult when we are prepared to be receptive, understanding, and kind.


I think everybody has tragedy in their life. Everybody has hurdles in their life. Everybody has tough things to overcome. My kids say to me, 'This isn't fair.' I said, 'Life isn't fair.' Everybody has their issues. It's how you handle your issues that distinguishes you.

- Maria Shriver

Overcome, Everybody, I Think, Handle

I like cookies, any cookie you put in front of me - animal cookies, sugar cookies, anything crunchy.

- Maria Shriver

Cookie, Like, Any, Animal

I don't believe in gutter politics. I don't believe in gutter journalism.

- Maria Shriver

Politics, Believe, Gutter

I decided that I was going to be the Kennedy who makes her own name and finds her own job and works like a dog. My comeuppance was when Arnold got elected - I became the Kennedy who was married to the governor.

- Maria Shriver

Going, Became, Works, Arnold

One of my greatest joys is poetry. I read it almost every day, and I've even taken a stab at writing some of my own. A poem I wrote for my mother when she was dying really helped me get through that hard time.

- Maria Shriver

Through, Some, Greatest Joys, Joys

It's always inspiring to me to meet people who feel that they can make a difference in the world. That's their motive, that's their passion... I think that's what makes your life meaningful, that's what fills your own heart and that's what gives you purpose.

- Maria Shriver

Purpose, Own, I Think, Fills

I lost myself in the process and I realized how much I had identified myself with Maria Shriver, newswoman. When that was gone, I had to really sit back and go, 'Well, actually, who am I today?'

- Maria Shriver

Back, Had, How Much, Identified

No matter who you are, what you've accomplished, what your financial situation is - when you're dealing with a parent with Alzheimer's, you yourself feel helpless. The parent can't work, can't live alone, and is totally dependent, like a toddler. As the disease unfolds, you don't know what to expect.

- Maria Shriver

Financial, Medical, Parent, Helpless

My mother's death brought me to my knees. She was my hero, my role model, my very best friend. I spoke to her every single day of my life. I really tried hard when I grew up to make her proud of me.

- Maria Shriver

My Life, Very, Brought, Every Single Day

I made the mistake of thinking that external accomplishments would bring me peace. I thought it was about the job or a book or making a name for myself.

- Maria Shriver

Mistake, Thought, Making, External

You don't wanna walk around and say, 'I'm somebody's niece, I'm somebody's cousin, I'm somebody's daughter. Who are you?' And I think that's always the challenge when you grow up in a well-known family, is ultimately, you have to face yourself in the mirror and say, 'Who are you? What have you done?'

- Maria Shriver

Mirror, I Think, Around, Niece

If you want to be an architect of change by raising great kids, God bless. If you want to do it by raising money for your kid's school, great. If you want to build a garden - whatever it is. Women like myself - they're complicated, and they have a lot of different interests and qualities within them.

- Maria Shriver

Kid, Your, Architect, Garden

Our mothers give us so many gifts. They give us the precious gift of life, of course, but they also leave treasured lessons that can guide us along our journeys even when they are no longer with us.

- Maria Shriver

Gift, Give, Journeys, Treasured

I feel very blessed to have four brothers. My brothers always say, 'Oh, you know, we prepared you for the world of journalism. We prepared you for Arnold. We prepared you for everything.' And in a way they're right. Because you know, they take no prisoners. They were very tough.

- Maria Shriver

Prepared, Brothers, Very, Journalism

I think that public service is tough on a family - no ifs, ands, buts about it. I have my own personal wishes, but they're not always front and center.

- Maria Shriver

Think, Always, I Think, Ifs

The gift my mother gave me was the gift of possibility. From an early age, she instilled in me a belief that I could do anything I wanted to do. It wasn't a matter of, 'Can I?' or 'Should I?' It was just, 'You can, you must, you will!' She wanted me to believe that anything was possible.

- Maria Shriver

Gift, Believe, Matter, Instilled

I like to make jokes; I consider myself a funny person. I just think making jokes about people who are in a situation beyond their control is not funny to them or their families.

- Maria Shriver

Think, Making, Like, Jokes

Women somehow get portrayed as one type. You're either a feminist or you're not. You're a working woman or you're not. I'm raising two girls, and I say to them, 'I need you to be strong and soft. You can be smart and beautiful... You can be all of these things.'

- Maria Shriver

Strong, Woman, Type, Portrayed

We all know what happens to first ladies who shoot their mouths off.

- Maria Shriver

Know, Happens, Ladies, Shoot

My father never was and isn't a mean man. You know, he never was ruthless. And he succeeded in life without sticking it to anybody. And that's a great example for a man, a strong man, a man's man, to give to his children. You can succeed, you can be successful, without walking over somebody.

- Maria Shriver

Father, Strong, Anybody, Ruthless

Poetry has always been made to seem kind of cultish. But the truth is, everybody really loves it! It's much more mainstream than anyone thought.

- Maria Shriver

Always, Been, Everybody, Mainstream

I thought I had to show people that I would get in early, stay late or even all night, work on holidays. I didn't want to be the rich kid who was along for a free ride.

- Maria Shriver

Thought, Kid, Show, All Night

Part of what Special Olympics is trying to do is break down stereotypes that still exist for people. There is still a lot of fear.

- Maria Shriver

Special, Exist, Lot, Olympics

When the world is so complicated, the simple gift of friendship is within all of our hands.

- Maria Shriver

Friendship, Gift, World, Complicated

I, I am my own woman. I have not been, quote, 'bred' to look the other way. I look at that man back there in the green room straight on, eyes wide open, and I look at him with an open heart.

- Maria Shriver

Other, Been, Bred, Quote

Don't think of him as a Republican. Think of him as the man I love, and if that doesn't work, think of him as the man who can crush you.

- Maria Shriver

Love, Work, Think, Republican

I was happy being a journalist. I didn't realize losing my job, my identity went with it.

- Maria Shriver

Happy, Identity, Being, Journalist

I appreciate your support, particularly this year, for sticking with me.

- Maria Shriver

Me, Appreciate, Particularly, Sticking

At work, you're replaceable... but as a parent, you're irreplaceable.

- Maria Shriver

Work, Parent, You, Irreplaceable

You can spend the rest of your life trying to figure out what other people expect from you, or you can make a decision to let that all go.

- Maria Shriver

Rest, Other, Figure, Spend

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